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Facing disability and can’t work? Denied Social Security Disability benefits? You’re not alone. Research from the Social Security Administration shows that 1 in 4 workers will face disability during their careers. If you’re in Pensacola or nearby areas, and you’re seeking to secure your benefits from the start or need to overturn a denial, we’re here to help.
Meet Nick Ortiz: Trusted Pensacola Social Security Disability Lawyer
Pensacola Social Security Disability lawyer Nick Ortiz helps people nationwide receive Social Security Disability benefits. He has been practicing law since 2001 and specializing in disability law since 2005. If you are having trouble applying or need to appeal a denied claim for Social Security Disability benefits, contact our Pensacola Social Security Disability lawyer today.
We will fight for the Social Security benefits that you deserve. We understand the requirements you have to meet and how to obtain the information you need for a successful claim. We even prepare custom forms for your doctors to complete to support your claim. Whether you need help with an initial filing or the appeal process, our Social Security Disability attorney can help.
How We Can Help with Your Social Security Disability Claim
We offer a free case evaluation, and there are no fees unless you win. The average fee is 25% of the past-due benefits. We do not take a fee from future benefits; you will receive 100% of your monthly payment. We represent Social Security Disability claimants in Northwest Florida and across the country.
Nick Ortiz also offers a free e-book on Social Security Disability claims. You can claim your copy by clicking here. You can also check out our collection of frequently asked questions or contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation with a Pensacola Social Security Disability lawyer.
Types of Social Security Claims We Handle
The Ortiz Law Firm and our Pensacola Social Security Disability Lawyer handle Social Security Disability Insurance benefit claims (also called SSD, SSDI, DI, DIB, or RSDI) and concurrent Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims.
We handle claims at the following stages of the evaluation process:
We do not handle claims at the Appeals Council or Federal District Court, but we will try to refer you to a Social Security Disability attorney who does. Some claimants at the federal court level will decide to file a new claim for benefits. If so, we can assist with filing a new disability claim.
Why Choose Ortiz Law Firm?
Social Security Disability is one of our primary practice areas, and we have a variety of resources to help our clients through the process. We encourage you to browse our reviews and testimonials to see how we have been able to assist claimants in the past.
In addition to the support and guidance of an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer, clients of the Ortiz Law Firm also get free access to the Disability Academy.
With over 6 hours of video content, Disability Academy contains everything you could want to know about a Social Security Disability claim, from the initial claim process to an Administrative Law Judge hearing, and the resources you need to get the benefits you deserve.
Do you want more information about the Disability Academy and how it can help you win your Social Security Disability claim? You can watch attorney Nick Ortiz’s NO-COST, on-demand training webinar to improve your chances of winning your Social Security claim by avoiding the most common mistakes that will destroy your claim.
Are you ready to strengthen your claim and learn more about the Disability Academy? Watch the free training webinar now.
Claiming Social Security Disability Benefits
Filing a claim for Social Security Disability insurance benefits, with or without an attorney advocating on your behalf, is complicated and lengthy. This is due to the time it takes for Social Security to decide on the claim and the high chance of being denied. It puts an extreme strain on an applicant and the applicant’s family.
Making things worse is the high chance of being denied. Statistically, approximately 70% of all Social Security Disability claims are denied at the initial application stage. It is frustrating to go through the lengthy application process and be denied that approximately four out of five claimants whose initial claims are denied do not file an appeal.
Considering these hurdles, what are Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income applicants to do? The answer is to learn everything you can about Social Security Disability applications, how Social Security Disability cases are evaluated, the elements of a successful claim, and how to navigate the appeals process.
Educating yourself about the process improves your chances of your claim being approved. You can also schedule a free case evaluation with a disability lawyer to obtain formal legal advice.
Get started here to educate yourself and learn about Social Security Disability claims, how the disability claims process works, who is eligible to receive benefits, how to appeal a denied claim, and how to navigate the appeal process.
How To Apply
You should apply for Social Security Disability benefits as soon as you think you might be eligible. You can apply online or call the SSA at 800-772-1213 to apply for benefits. You will need the names, phone numbers, and addresses of each medical facility where you have received medical treatment and your work history over the past 15 years. Please read our full article about how to apply for benefits for more information.
The Definition of Disability
The Social Security Act defines disabled as “an inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.”
A person is defined as disabled if “his physical or mental impairment or impairments are of such severity that he is not only unable to do his previous work but cannot, considering his age, education, and work experience, engage in any other kind of substantial gainful work which exists in the national economy in significant numbers.”
As you can see, the Social Security Administration does not recognize partial or short-term disability. Even if you receive other benefits from a governmental agency or a long-term disability insurance policy, you could still struggle to receive SSD benefits. Any other agencies’ findings do not bind the Social Security Administration. Please view our full article for more information on when a person is considered disabled by the SSA.
Do You Meet the Non-Medical Requirements For the Social Security Program?
One non-medical requirement is that there must be a financial need for benefits, which means that you cannot engage in “substantial gainful activity” (SGA). The Social Security Act specifies a higher SGA amount for statutorily blind individuals, whereas federal regulations specify a lower SGA amount for non-blind individuals.
You must also have earned at least a minimum number of work credits within the last five years. The minimum number of credits needed is based on the age when your disability began. If you have not been employed for at least five of the last ten years, you are likely not eligible for Social Security Disability benefits.
Who Decides If You Are Disabled?
An initial application for disability begins with a local Social Security claims representative (a disability examiner) at your local field office. The examiner will verify non-medical requirements, including age, employment, marital status, or Social Security coverage information.
If the claimant meets the SSA’s non-medical requirements, the local office will send the case to Disability Determination Services (DDS) for the second phase of the disability benefits application process. Disability Determination Services are state agencies that are responsible for developing medical evidence and making the initial disability determination on whether a claimant is disabled or blind under Social Security law.
At the hearing stage, an Administrative Law Judge will decide if you are disabled and issue a written decision. The decision will indicate whether it is a fully favorable, partially favorable, or unfavorable decision. Check out our full article about who is responsible for making the final decision on a Social Security Disability claim.
Evidence Needed To Support Your Claim
To win an initial application or appeal, you must know the symptoms and limitations the Social Security Administration claims handler wants to see in someone with your medical condition. Experienced Social Security Disability lawyers understand the medical criteria you need to meet to receive benefits.
You or your disability lawyer should also have your doctor complete a residual functional capacity (RFC) form identifying your limitations due to your medical condition. Social Security Disability lawyers often prepare forms customized to claimant conditions.
Our office has an extensive collection of RFC forms that have been customized for different medical conditions, and we continue to create new custom forms as needed. Generic examples may be found below:
Should I Consult with a Disability Lawyer?
You should schedule a free case evaluation with at least one Social Security Disability attorney. Most reputable attorneys will offer a free case evaluation, allowing you to discuss your claim with a lawyer at no cost. Although you have not yet established an attorney-client relationship, you can get legal advice to help with your initial claim.
Helpful Social Security Disability Pages
- What Is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?
- What Is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
- How Are SSDI and SSI Different?
- Terms You Should Know: Abbreviations and Acronyms Used by the SSA
- Rules And Requirements to Qualify for SSD
- Starting Your Disability Claim
- Top 10 Mistakes That Will Destroy Your Claim
- Top 4 Reasons You Will Be Denied Disability for Mental Illness
- Insider Tips
- What Are My Chances of Winning My Disability Case?
- How Do I Appeal a Denial of Social Security Benefits?
- What Happens at a Social Security Hearing?
Medical Conditions Covered By Social Security Disability
You can receive Social Security Disability benefits for any severe, medically determinable disease, condition, or impairment that limits your abilities to such an extent that you cannot work full-time consistently. The specific categories covered in the listing of impairments are:
- Cancer (Malignant Neoplastic Diseases)
- Cardiovascular Impairments
- Digestive System Disorders
- Endocrine Disorders
- Genitourinary Disorders
- Hematological Impairments
- Immune Disorders
- Mental Impairment
- Musculoskeletal Disorders (such as back and neck injuries)
- Neurological Conditions
- Respiratory Disorders
- Skin Disorders
- Diabetes
- Migraine Headaches
Get Help From a Pensacola Social Security Disability Lawyer
Do you need help obtaining the disability benefits you deserve? Nick Ortiz, a Pensacola Social Security Disability Lawyer, can help you get the benefits you deserve. As of 2020, we handle Social Security Disability claims anywhere in the country. If you want to schedule a free case evaluation, call us at (888) 321-8131. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your claim and represent you before the SSA.
